Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-10
2004-10-05
Alam, Shahid (Department: 2172)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C707S793000, C707S793000, C713S186000, C340S005200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06801907
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to a method and apparatus, as implemented by a software program on a computer system, for production of documents which may be visually associated with an image of one or more person(s) and/or objects(s) to verify the association of such document with such specific person(s) and/or object(s). The invention relates particularly to a method and device for maintaining a real-time inventory of all persons on board a cruise ship or the like; and most particularly relates to a method and device which permits instantaneous data acquisition and recognition.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Traveling on cruise ships, trains, airplanes or the like offer their patrons numerous.wonderful adventures. However, the crew of the particular craft or vessel must constantly be able to tightly monitor the security of thereof to assure the safety of its passengers in a nonintrusive fashion. For ease of explanation, the instant disclosure will concentrate on implementation of the method and apparatus on a cruise ship; however the inventor fully contemplates implementation of the invention on trains, planes, hotels, convention headquarters and the like where it is advantageous to quickly and easily monitor, identify and inventory personnel.
As cruise ships come to resemble large resorts at sea, they increasingly confront some of the same security issues as resort hotels on land. Additionally they have an even bigger problem, as they cross international boundaries and face even larger threat levels due to problems and political issues confronting the various countries and their ports of call. Pirates, terrorists, thieves, public drunkenness, smuggling arms and contraband are just a few of the problems. There are different threat levels, depending on where you are and what is going on at the time.
Combating terrorism is generally accomplished by carrying out a variety of security checks on all baggage and carry-ons, a tight control of everyone coming on and off the ship, as well as vigilance by security officers while in port. Every bag that comes aboard the ship is checked, making ships safer than airports which only check 10 to 20 per cent of luggage. Additionally, all passengers are required to pass through metal detectors as in an airport.
A typical cruise may have upwards of 2500 passengers getting on, and off, a ship all at one time. Accurately accounting for all of these passengers, related guests and crew in an efficient way poses a vexing problem. The most recent Coast Guard and SOLAS regulations require access control, however until recently, there were no electronic systems that fitted the needs of cruise ships. Access control was originally accomplished by the use of a paper pass which allowed the passenger on and off the ship but was not a very accurate accounting of actual identities. Subsequent to the paper pass, multifunctional plastic cards came into use. These cards allowed the passenger access and exit from the ship and the ability to charge merchandise and gain cabin access, however the ship's personnel were unable to maintain an accurate record of who had or had not yet boarded the ship when it was ready to leave port. Additionally, the cards could be forged or tampered with, thereby exposing the ship to access by unauthorized personnel.
There are numerous hazards that may face a cruise ship and her crew. Firstly, one must recognize that there is an ever-present threat of terrorism. Should a boarding pass be forged, misplaced or permitted to fall into the wrong hands, a person of less than reputable character could easily board the vessel and take those.occupants hostage, such as occurred on the Achille Lauro in 1985.
Secondly, there is the possible occurrence of illegal immigration. While this may or may not place the passengers in direct danger, it could certainly permit the prohibited passage of unwanted and unauthorized individuals to foreign lands. Such a situation occurs simply by the obtaining of a pass by foreigners who are allowed to travel internationally, who once aboard, smuggle the pass back to immigrants waiting on shore to illegally board the vessel as stowaways.
Thirdly, the trafficking of illicit drugs is a situation that must be addressed. By the very nature of their function, cruise ships allow patrons to pass freely from country to country. This mode of transportation is often very attractive to smugglers who not only can deliver their precious cargo, but enjoy a nice vacation as well.
Furthermore, one must also recognize that boarding of the vessel by an unauthorized individual provides that individual with an opportunity to steal possessions of the patrons and slip away without being detected. Due to the fact that the thief is not on the ship's docket, it is virtually impossible to isolate a possible suspect.
Aside from preventing passage to undesirables, one must also confront the issue of assuring those that should be on the ship are. Crew members must be able to ascertain whether or not all of the patrons have boarded the vessel before it leaves port. This often consists of a lengthy and tedious cabin call process in which they attempt to manually count all those who are presently on the vessel.
Further, the vessel's crew must be able to distinguish the difference between those that are permitted to carry a firearm and those who are restricted from doing so. The possession of a gun is permitted in many countries and it provides a sense of protection to those who bear them. These patrons are often forced to go through extensive amounts of paperwork on numerous occasions, while those who do not have this right may easily slip through the cracks due to the laborious amount of processing.
Additionally, because a cruise is mainly a festive occasion that often accompanies drinking, the crew must be able to readily deal with cases of domestic violence and public disturbances brought about by excessive drinking. In these scenarios, the offender might simply hide on the ship, thereby thwarting authorities that may be looking for him or her, possibly awaiting a chance to cause more problems.
Should the ship catch on fire or begin to take on water forcing an emergency evacuation, it is necessary to be able to find all the passengers and assure that they have reached safety. This can often be difficult should a passenger be trapped, hiding, due to the state of confusion, forgotten about. Once again, in these instances a manual head count would occur which wastes precious time and can often be incorrect due to the pressures of the situation.
In addition, if a passenger receives an emergency call the process of checking the several possible locations of the patron are incredibly inefficient and may not locate the client in time. This could have grievous results in extreme cases.
Lastly, one must confront the constant conflict between assuring the necessary protection for patrons and the efficiency of boarding/docking procedures. Passengers of cruise lines are there to enjoy themselves and often grow frustrated with the extensive delays incurred upon boarding the ship or exiting the vessel at port in foreign lands.
When specific types of documents are issued on behalf of one or more specific person(s) or object(s) it may be necessary to verify the association of such document with the person(s) or object(s) to deter the unauthorized use of such document on behalf of a person(s) or object(s) not associated with the document. The fastest and easiest way to verify an association is by visual verification of validated information concerning the authorized person(s) and/or object(s) and the actual person(s) and/or object(s) for which use of the document is sought. An individual whose responsibility it may be to verify the authorized use of a document on behalf of specific person(s) or object(s) can easily confirm such authorized use if he or she has immediate availability to such verified information concerning the person(s) or object(s) associated with the document.
Various methods of deterring the unauthorized
Alam Shahid
McHale & Slavin P.A.
Pham Hung
Security Identification Systems Corporation
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